A friendly place for critical thinkers

What is a “Skeptic”?

In short, a skeptic is anyone who wishes to base their beliefs on evidence. Dr. Steven Novella of The Skeptics Guide to the Universe podcast offers a complete definition below:

A skeptic is one who prefers beliefs and conclusions that are reliable and valid to ones that are comforting or convenient, and therefore rigorously and openly applies the methods of science and reason to all empirical claims, especially their own. A skeptic provisionally proportions acceptance of any claim to valid logic and a fair and thorough assessment of available evidence, and studies the pitfalls of human reason and the mechanisms of deception so as to avoid being deceived by others or themselves. Skepticism values method over any particular conclusion.

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December2016

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Skeptical Salon: Merchants of Doubt

Skeptical Salon: Merchants of Doubt

Starts: 7:30 pm

Ends: December 1, 2016 - 9:30 pm

Location: 4453 N Kasson Ave, Chicago, IL 60630, USA

Description:

For November (except in December, because Thanksgiving), we'll be reading Merchants of Doubt by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway.

From amazon.com:
Now a powerful documentary from the acclaimed director of Food Inc., Merchants of Doubt was one of the most talked-about climate change books of recent years, for reasons easy to understand: It tells the controversial story of how a loose-knit group of high-level scientists and scientific advisers, with deep connections in politics and industry, ran effective campaigns to mislead the public and deny well-established scientific knowledge over four decades. The same individuals who claim the science of global warming is "not settled" have also denied the truth about studies linking smoking to lung cancer, coal smoke to acid rain, and CFCs to the ozone hole. "Doubt is our product," wrote one tobacco executive. These "experts" supplied it.

Join Chicago Skeptics in December for our annual Festivus party! The appropriately unadorned Festivus Pole will be prominently featured.* The traditional Airing of Grievances** will be held whenever we think it's a good time to start.*** Acceptable Feats of Strength**** include thumb wars, staring contests, Rock Paper Scissors tournaments and displays of mental fortitude.***** We may also recount tales of Festivus Miracles.******

Festivus is FREE to attend, but we will be accepting donations to The Human Fund throughout the evening to help cover the costs of this and other great Chicago Skeptics events. Hope to see you there!
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*Festivus pole is not for dancing, nor for jousting during Feats of Strength.

**Grievances may also be conveyed via Post-It(s) attached to the Festivus Pole. BYOPI.

***Probably sometime between 8 and 9.

****Feats of actual strength are unsanctioned by Chicago Skeptics, the Wise Owl, and probably CPD depending on your level of enthusiasm.

*****Smartphones are disallowed in contests of mental strength. Dumbphones are hilarious.